Aloha to St. Andrews Day ... with giveaway!

Glenfinnan  Monument

November 30 is St. Andrew's Day, the patron saint of Scotland. How about a few Scottish proverbs to celebrate this day?

A good tale never tires in the telling.

A misty morning may become a clear day.

Be slow in choosing a friend but slower in changing him.

Better bend than break.

Choose your wife with her nightcap on!

Danger and delight grow on one stalk.

Egotism is an alphabet of one letter.

Friends are lost by calling often and calling seldom.

From saving comes having.

Learn young, learn fair; learn old, learn more.

Never draw your dirk when a blow will do it.

To marry is to halve your rights and double your duties.

Twelve highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion.

I am giving away a box of Scottish historical romances:

Kathleen Harrington's THE MACLEAN GROOM

Stephanie Laurens' A MATCH FOR MARCUS CYNSTER

Margaret Mallory's KNIGHT OF DESIRE

Mia Marlowe's ONCE UPON A PLAID

Cathy Maxwell's THE DEVIL'S HEART

Paula Quinn's THE TAMING OF MALCOLM GRANT

plus a leather bookmark from Edinburgh Castle!

To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about Scotland - what do you love about it?

2. Comments are open through Sunday, December 4, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, December 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Urquhart Castle

Weekly winners, Beach Blanket Bingo, Kate Pearce, and THE RELUCTANT COWBOY

We have winners at SOS Aloha:

- Sharlene M., Library Pat, Christy, and Susan P. win a book choice from my convention stash.  Winners, please claim your prize by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

The Oahu chief (above) greets the school children at Hickam Elementary School.  From its website,

Kalani I Ka Lewa
Ascend to the Heavens

Kalani I Ka Lewa by artist Viliami Toluta’u was inspired by the natural instinct in humanity to be free as we are in America. The young Ali’i (chief) is releasing an eagle into the heavens, symbolizing the potential of children to soar high in life with education as their wings. The young Ali’i also pay homage to the spirit of the Freedom Tower with hope that the children emulate the eagle in exploring and scouting their horizons and its limitless possibilities. A grant from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (Art in Public Places Program) provided the funding for this special work of art.

He is also ready to celebrate THE RELUCTANT COWBOY, as new series from Kate Pearce, who happens to live on the Big Island of Hawaii:

After a turbulent childhood, the Morgan brothers went their separate ways, leaving the family cattle ranch and their cowboy days far behind. But now, one by one, they’re being called back home to California. Have they been summoned to save the land—or to start a new legacy? 

Chase Morgan high-tailed it away from ranching life as soon as possible. But running a successful technology company can’t erase the memories, or secrets, of his youth. Coming home to help his Grandma Ruth may finally put some ghosts to rest—if he can just get a certain smart, beautiful houseguest out of his business. But getting her out of his head is proving even more difficult…

Determined to save the Morgan ranch, historian January Mitchell has pinned her hopes on the surprisingly rugged, surprisingly likable, and exasperatingly stubborn Chase. Surely his love of this breathtaking, mysterious land runs deep enough that he’ll once again embrace his inner cowboy. Or maybe, despite both of their skittish hearts, she’ll have to find a way to get him back in the saddle…any which way she can.

Check out my review of THE RELUCTANT COWBOY on Goodreads at this link.  THE RELUCTANT COWBOY is available on Tuesday, November 29, from Kensington Books (link).

Kate will be participating in the BEACH BLANKET BINGO (link) at the RT Booklovers Convention in Atlanta.  From her website (link),

NYT and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British Civil Service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer.

She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate at her website at katepearce.com, on Facebook as Kate Pearce, and on Twitter as Kate4queen.

I enjoy following Kate on social media - she is an enthusiastic knitter and cat lover.  She also gives us peaks of life in Hawaii. Sigh.  Hawaii.  I sure miss it.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway, let's chat about Kate's newest series, the Morgan Ranch (link). Have you visited a ranch?  I have not ... something I'll have to change.  Comments are open through Sunday, December 4, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

 

Letters to Santa .... and Letters to Deployed Personnel

Yesterday my family watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade from the comfort of our home.  We enjoyed the Hawaii All State band, representing 47 high schools.  The band was followed by a Hawaiian themed float sponsored by King's Hawaiian Rolls.  Yum, Yum!

The Macy's parade ends with the arrival of Santa Clause. I share this press release from the USPS ...  

NORTH POLE — Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and the U.S. Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with a North Pole postmark.

“Letters from Santa” must be received by the Anchorage, AK, postmaster no later than Dec. 15. Santa’s helpers at the Postal Service will take care of the rest.

Learn more about this program, including tips, at this link.

USPS.com

Let's not forget deployed personnel!  I have a list of men and women who would like to receive holiday cheer!  You can send cards to individuals ... or a units of varying sizes.  Please contact me for the mailing list and helpful hints at sos.aloha@yahoo.com. 

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about holiday cards - when do you start writing them?  Do you include a "recap" letter?  Family photo?  Or something else?

We write a "recap" letter, set it aside, and remember to send the cards after Christmas.  

2. Comments are open through Sunday, November 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, November 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Check out my pictures from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 

in 2014 on my travel blog at this link.

Military personnel on duty during Thanksgiving 

Aloha to Laura Levine and MURDER HAS NINE LIVES - Book Review

The future is looking bright for freelance writer Jaine Austen. She's signed up for a new job, she's looking forward to a tropical vacation, and her cat Prozac is slated to star in a major commercial. But when the claws come out behind the scenes, Jaine worries that murder might be the only thing to meow about. . .

A writer's life is far from glamorous. Still, Jaine's new gig to write an ad campaign for Toiletmasters' new line of self-flushing toilets comes with a few perks--including a date with the president's dreamy nephew. And with a much-needed trip to Maui on the horizon, it seems life couldn't get any better--until her cat Prozac is tapped to star in a Skinny Kitty commercial. But Jaine never would have guessed the world of cat food could be quite so catty. . .

Jaine is nervous that Prozac won't be able to take direction, but the finicky furball ditches her diva behavior for the camera, eating and napping on cue like a seasoned pro. But just as Jaine begins dreaming of fame and fortune, Skinny Kitty's inventor drops dead on the set. Everyone is a suspect--including Jaine. And she'll have to get her paws on the truth before the killer takes a swipe at another victim. . .

Curiosity killed the cat because he wanted to know if it really had 9 lives. - Anonymous

MURDER HAS NINE LIVES is Book 14 in Laura Levine's Jaine Austen Mystery series. Jaine is a freelance author living on the edge of Beverly Hills with her cat, Prozac, and her neighbor, Lance. A chance meeting with an animal agent at the vet's office leads Jaine and Prozac to the filming of a Skinny Cat commercial. Fans of the series know that Prozac plays by her own rules ... and things go awry with the filming ... ending with the death of the Skinny cat's creator. Jaine dons her favorite "Count Chocula" t-shirt and grabs the fake USDA badge she bought at a yard sale to investigate the murder and clear her name.

Levine is no stranger to humor.  She is the creator of Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills. She also wrote for The Bob Newhart Show, Three's Company, and Laverne & Shirley. Likewise, Jaine is no stranger to chocolate ... or cinnamon raisin bagels ... or Burger King drive thru. Her diet is a who's who among junk food. Jaine's life is equally chaotic with her constant search for a new writing gig to pay the rent, navigating the LA dating scene, and wrangling Prozac for her cashmere sweater.

MURDER HAS NINE LIVES is pure escapism into a familiar world where laughs abound with Jaine's expanding waistline. Likewise, Prozac's expanded role demonstrates she is more than a diva - she has feelings ala Blanche DuBois from A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE when she realizes she is the "before" cat in the Skinny Cat commercial.  Jaine goes to extreme measures, including a Reiki healer, to bring Prozac out of her funk.  I applaud Levine for poking fun at pop culture - it adds another layer of humor into the lighthearted plot.  Levine also includes the email exchange between Jaine and her parents, retired in Florida, but reeking havoc just the same. 

MURDER HAS NINE LIVES is a refreshing break from reality, akin to meeting a friend for coffee for a respite from our hectic lives. MURDER HAS NINE LIVES can be read as a stand alone novel since Levine provides enough background information about Jaine, Prozac, and Lance.  

Recommended read for fans of cozy mysteries, diva cats, and anything chocolate.

I checked out a copy of MURDER HAS NINE LIVES from my local library.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about TV commercials - love them or loathe them?  Do you have a favorite, especially with the upcoming holidays?  I enjoy some of the Geico commercials, including:

- Salt N Pepa's "Push It" (link) - I love the song and the man mowing the lawn.
- Playing Marco Polo in a pool (link) - I love the llama.
- Kids selling lemonade with Ice T (link) - Ice T is an Army vet.

2. Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to US resident. But I welcome any comments from our international readers.

3. Comments are open through Sunday, November 27, 2016, 10 pm in Baltimore.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Weekly Winners and Giving Thanks

Normal Rockwell's Freedom from Want

We have winners at SOS Aloha!  Catslady, Debby, and Molly win a book choice from my convention stash.  

This week Americans prepare for Thanksgiving.  How can be best appreciate what we have?  Here's a few ideas ...

1. Volunteer.  My family volunteers at our church, through the Boy Scouts, and with our high school. I have to admit that volunteering has helped soothe some of the uneasiness I have felt since the election.  Looking for an opportunity volunteer? Check out volunteermatch.org.

2. Donate.  Too many Americans struggle to feed their families.  My small church adopted 10 families and prepared Thanksgiving baskets for them.  Since my family loves vegetables, we donated corn and green beans!  You can help, too, by contacting a food bank near you:

feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank

3. Be Kind. Last Saturday, my church hosted a "treasures" sale for holiday shopping.  An older gentleman shuffled into the room and spend an hour looking around.  He asked me for advice on what to buy for his family.  In the end, I gave him a discount for volume shopping.  He thanked me for my time and blessed me in Arabic.  I hugged him and said that his family was always welcome at our church.  The hug cost me nothing ... but gave me the satisfaction that I acted like an American. Christian. Veteran.

4. Go to the library.  We are blessed as a nation to have public libraries ... so use them!  Libraries are more than books ... they offer multi media education and entertainment. Remember, use them or loose them.  

5. Turn off the television, computer, and cell phone.  We have been oversaturated with instant news and reality TV.  For Thanksgiving, let us celebrate each other.  Play a game.  Take a walk.  Write cards to deployed personnel - send me an email at sos.aloha@yahoo.com, for a list of those who are defending our freedom away from home.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, November 27, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

A blogger's perspective of the RWA Annual Conference ...

 

As many of you already know, I am an associate member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA, link). Obviously, I am a fan of romance novels ... and I found it inspiring, stimulating, and engaging to surround myself with creative forces.  Being a member of RWA offers a balance to life as a military spouse and community volunteer.  I attend local meetings of the Washington Romance Writers (WRW, link) and the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW, link).  

I also travel each year to the RWA Annual Conference.  In 2015 in New York, Kim Rocha and I presented a workshop, A Tale of Two Bloggers.  In 2016 in San Diego, I coordinated two workshops - The Joy of Writing and Reporting for Duty.  For 2017, I submitted two more workshops - cross your fingers that they are accepted!

In 2012, my kids came with me from Hawaii to Anaheim -

hubby was moving to Korea!  Kids volunteered in

Aloha shirts at the publishers' book signings.

RWA heads to Orlando for the 2017 Annual  Conference at Disney's Swan and Dolphin Hotel.  The RWA Board recently announced the new schedule (link), including a focus on librarians, bloggers, and readers on Saturday, July 29:

Librarians Day Event 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Workshops 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Chapter Leadership Breakfast and Town Hall  TBA

Blogger Event (separate, ticketed event) 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Librarian Luncheon (ticketed event) 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

"Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The Librarian Day and book signing previously kicked off the conference on Wednesday.  The move to Saturday, plus the addition of the Blogger Event, expands RWA's reach to consumers - a critical component of a writing career.  I believe librarians, bloggers, and readers are more likely to attend an event on Saturday, especially with the conference in an isolated location such as Disney's Swan and Dolphin Hotel.

Many authors have expressed concern about other changes on Thursday:

PRO Retreat TBA

Workshops 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Golden Heart (Unpublished) Awards Luncheon with Special Guest Emcee 12:15 – 2:00 p.m.

RITA Awards (Published) Ceremony with Special Guest Emcee 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Previous conferences ended with a combined Gold Heart and RITA Awards Ceremony on Saturday night with the glamor of the Oscars. The RWA Board offered an explanation (link),

We want to give more attention to finalists and winners and provide them with more professional opportunities throughout the conference. Rather than merge both ceremonies, the Board felt this was a way to focus on the accomplishments of unpublished and published finalists.

Numerous authors have expressed concerns on Facebook that splitting the ceremonies devalues the Golden Heart; the finalists who do not win will feel awkward for the rest of the conference; and the Board did not coordinate these changes with the members.  Some also question the value of RWA.

Barbara Samuels' six RITAs

Creative Commons (link)

As an associate member, I don't have a horse in this race.  But I still have an opinion which I share with you.  

- The combined awards ceremony on Saturday night was too long.  It ran late.  I have not stayed for any post ceremony party because I had an early flight the next day to get back to reality.

- Those who believe conference goers will not attend the Golden Heart Luncheon because of competing meetings need to lead by example - support your unpublished sisters.  The Golden Heart nominees can live their "princess moment" at the luncheon by dressing up - it's Disney after all!

- Finalists are still "winners" - they are announced long before the conference.  They reference themselves as "finalists" in marketing material even after the conference.  Do not let the date of the ceremony diminish their accomplishments.  Again, if we lead by example by congratulating all finalists throughout the conference, then we embrace our industry's excellence.

And the value of RWA?  As a military veteran, military spouses, community volunteer, and minute taker for a benefits association board, I have seen nothing like RWA.  It empowers independent entrepreneurs who seek to balance the creative process with business success. RWA is what you make of it - the more you contribute, the more you gain from the experience. We can all learn from each other no matter where you are in your publishing career.

Authors have long advocated for RWA to embrace changes in the publishing industry.  Now the board is promoting a change to improve the conference experience.  I encourage authors to give it a try.

Walt Disney World

Finally, let's look at Wednesday, July 26:

Level Up: In-depth workshops specific to taking your career to the next level, 1:00 - 5:30 pm:

Indie Track
Emerging Author Track
Master Classes

First Timers' Orientation 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Tours - TBA.

Tours.  I love tours! Last year, I coordinated the tour of the Navy Base Coronado in San Diego.  And I know a thing or two about Florida ... I grew up in Miami, attended high school in Clearwater, and graduated from the University of Tampa. Author Elle Mason has published an awesome planning guide for staying (and playing) on Walt Disney World on her blog (link).  However, I will be pitching several tours outside WDW - stay tuned next week for things to do beyond Mickey!

Lucky guards the convention stash ...

Let's giveaway a book from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. What do you know (or love) about Orlando, Walt Disney World, or Florida?

2. Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to US residents (and those with an APO address).  But I welcome comments from all readers and authors!

3. Comments for the giveaway is open through Sunday, November 27, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Monday, November 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Here's what I know about Walt Disney World - the Shades of Green (link) began as Disney's Golf Resort across from the Polynesian Hotel.  It was then sold to become an Armed Forces Recreation Center.  Any ID card holder - military or civilian, active or retired - can make a reservation and use its facilities.  My family has stayed several times at the Shades of Green!

Shades of Green

Aloha to Siera London and CHASING FLAMES

How did I miss the release of this book back in October?!?

This Cinderella story involves a hottie hero and a bumpy carriage ride to happily ever after!

Waitress, Symphony Porter’s obsession with fire has made her a target for distrust and rejection. She’s broke and with her home weeks away from foreclosure, she’s eager to drive to Key West to claim an unexpected inheritance. Symphony arrives in town expecting a quick exit, but soon stumbles into trouble—to include six feet three inches of scorching hot danger to her heart. With time running out, the last thing Symphony needs is a handsome investigator hot on her trail.

Fire investigator, Nathan Zachary has had enough relationships crash and burn, that he knows at first sight that Symphony is the woman for him. He’s ready to make the saucy waitress a permanent part of his life, but a series of random fires puts Symphony on a collision course with Nathan’s case. As the spark of attraction ignites between them, so does the danger and suspicion.

Siera is one of the hosts for the Beach Blanket Bingo (link) at the RT Booklovers' Convention. She's also a fellow veteran ...

Contemporary romance and women's fiction is my therapy of choice. I served 22 years in the United States Navy as a registered nurse before I decided to focus on my writing career. It's never too late, to follow your heart's desire.

I live in Florida Keys with my husband and a color patch tabby named Frie. I am a pet lover at heart. I would gladly welcome more furry friends into the household; however, I had to guilt my husband into the cat. As a native Floridian, it's nice to leave the DC weather in the rearview mirror.

When I'm not writing, I love getting lost between the pages of a great book. I get a thrill searching through recipe books with my sister in-law. I enjoy cooking huge meals to share with friends and family. I would like to think I'm a pretty good cook since folks keep showing up at the front door to eat my food. 

Learn more about Siera and her books at sieralondon.com.

Key West

I am giving away a digital copy of CHASING FLAMES plus beach swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about recipe books .. which thrill Siera. What recipes are do you need next week for Thanksgiving? My family enjoys baked corn for Turkey Day.

2. Comments are open through Sunday, November 20, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, November 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Special finds at a book sale ....

Last weekend, my church hosted its annual Fall Festival, including a bake sale, craft fair, and holiday shopping.  I organized the book sale in the basement ... and I found my own treasure among the donations!

Carol Umberger combines her love of history, romance, and God in a quartet of powerful stories set in 14th-century Scotland during the reign of Robert the Bruce, Scotland's great hero king. CIRCLE OF HONOR won RWA's Golden Heart Award. Carol is also an Air Force veteran!

Speaking of Air Force vets, here's Merline Lovelace with Mary Balogh and Suzanne Barclay in THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS:

These talented authors will sweep readers away to a special world where three wise heroes discover that love is the most precious gift of all. "The Gifts of Christmas" is an enchanting historical Christmas title that will captivate readers and transport them to another time and place as they indulge in the seasonal delights of the Christmas holiday in Regency, Elizabethan, and medieval England and share in the discovery of unforgettable love. Stories include Balogh's "A Handful of Gold", Lovelace's "A Drop of Frankincense", and Barclay's "A Touch of Myrrh". 

Keeping with the Air Force theme, Rita Clay Estrada was an Air Force brat and RWA founding member:

The last thing she remembered was the ocean... the storm... the man!

Against all odds, lovely Parris Harrison had been caught swimming in the wild and turbulent surf only to wash up on the shore of Cape May lying in the arms of the most gorgeous hunk she'd ever seen. But Thomas Elder was not only devastatingly sexy, he was also certifiably insane - dressed in outlandish clothes straight out of a gangster movie, he insisted the date was 1929!

Horrified to discover that Thomas was absolutely correct, Parris set about surviving in a dangerous era filled with glamorous flappers eager to seduce her man, and vicious mobsters bent on giving them both cement overshoes. Together, she and Thomas would defy them all, to create their own intimate interlude in time.

Have you found any special treasures at book sales?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Sunday, November 20, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Monday, November 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Weekly Winners, Beach Blanket Bingo, and Sharon Hamilton

We have winners at SOS Aloha -  Girlygirlhoosier and Mary P. win a book choice from my convention stash.  Winners, please contact send your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Last week I announced that the RT Booklovers' Convention selected a reader party coordinated by Kimberly Rocha and me - Beach Blanket Bingo (link). Sharon Hamilton is hosting the "Coronado Island" beach table:

Sharon Hamilton is a NYT and USAToday bestselling author most known for her SEAL Brotherhood series.

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you've read before, since they don't have to go to ground and can walk around in the full light of the sun.

Sharon's Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won't find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.

All of Sharon's books are available on eBooks (most formats), print and Audible.

A lifelong organic gardener, Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place. When she's not writing, she's getting verra verra dirty in the mud or wandering Farmer's Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Learn more about Sharon and her books at authorsharonhamilton.com.  

Sharon is celebrating the release of FREDO'S DREAM available November 15 (link), 

Navy SEAL Alphonso Manuel Esquidido “Fredo” Sanchez has the heart of a lion and would do anything to protect and honor his beautiful bride, Mia. He’d fought for her love tirelessly, even after his Team buddies suggested he give up. But it was more than pride that wounded him when he discovered he could not father children. He is raising another man’s son as his own, but can never give her what she wants more than possibly anything else in the world. He has kept this a secret only unto himself and his best friend, Cooper. And he knows time is not on his side.

Mia Guzman has come a long way from wild child girlfriend of San Diego drug dealers to devoted mother and now dutiful wife of the man she now knows was always there for her, and always will be. She yearns to have a child with Fredo, to honor him with her body in every way she can, perhaps making up for the years she discounted his devotion.

Their beautiful love and marriage will be tested to the limits through twists and turns before the dramatic final outcome readers will love.

I am giving away a digital copy of FREDO'S DREAM, plus Navy swag, to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about one of Sharon's favorite activities - Farmer's Market!  Do you have any near you?  What do you like to buy?

I work on Fort Meade, which offers a Farmer's Market every Friday ... with only two more left for the season!  My office loves the flavored pickles from DC Dills (link).

2. Due to the cost of shipping, this giveaway is open to US residents only. 

3. Comments are open through Sunday, November 20, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Monday, November 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Veterans Day - Remember the Heroes

This picture always takes my breath away.  From Wikipedia (link),

Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War I veteran, attends the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982. He is holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who was killed in the Korean War

This song fits my somber mood this Veterans Day:

Remember the Heroes by Sammy Hagar

Stranger in a foreign land
Fearful cries surround him
Returning home a wounded man
To find he's been forgotten, yeah

Courage is the badge he wears
Blinded by obsession
Wars are won by those who dare
The memory still haunts him

Remember the heroes
Who fight for the right to choose
Remember the heroes
We've all got a lot to lose

Remember the heroes
You know we all got alot to lose
Remember the heroes
Who's gonna fill their shoes?

Happy Birthday, US Marine Corps, with Jason B. Ladd and ONE OF THE FEW

The Few. The Proud. The Marines.  From Marines.com (link),

Leading up to the American Revolution, a committee of the Continental Congress met to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.

As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became captain and commanding officer of the newly formed Marines and visited numerous public inns and taverns throughout the city of Philadelphia to begin recruiting. One of his first recruits was popular patriot and tavern owner Robert Mullan. Capt Mullan owned Tun Tavern, which subsequently became part of military lore as the birthplace of the Marine Corps.

Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10 with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

Enter Jason Ladd. Author. Father. Marine:

Jason B. Ladd grows up in a military family with loving parents but spends his young life filled with spiritual apathy. He never develops a solid moral foundation, although he has a basic knowledge of right and wrong

Ladd enters the US Marine Corps, becomes a fighter pilot, and sees combat in Iraq before life events align to nudge him into profound spiritual inquiry. Digging deep into his quest for truth, he realizes the art and science of fighter pilot fundamentals can help him on his journey.

Filled with stories that contrast his spiritual apathy with his post-Christian worldview passion, One of the Few is the compelling life story of a spiritual seeker engaged in a thrilling profession combined with a strong, reasonable defense of Christianity.

Jason is proud to share ONE OF THE FEW: A MARINE FIGHTER PILOT'S RECONNAISSANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW:

A Marine fighter pilot embarks on the greatest mission of all: the pursuit of truth.

Jason B. Ladd realizes that while he’s ready to defend his country, he is unprepared for his most important decisions as a husband and father.

In One of the Few, Ladd pulls from his extensive military training to offer a compelling defense of the Christian faith as he warns seekers to avoid spiritual apathy and offers effective Christian tactics for withstanding spiritual attacks.

Filled with deeply personal stories, this compelling book comes directly from the spirit of a man with the soul of a marine, the mind of a fighter, the heart of a father, and a commitment to Christ.

 

F/A-18C taking off from the USS Kitty Hawk

Thank you, Jason, for your service and sharing your faith! Learn how you can receive a free audio book of ONE OF THE FEW at this link.  

Meanwhile, I am giving away military swag in honor of the US Marine Corps' Birthday on November 10 and Veterans Day on November 11.  To enter the giveaway,

1. What do you know about the Marines?  I had the opportunity to tour the historic Chesty Puller house on Pearl Harbor (link) thus learning about his legacy.

2. Comments are open through Sunday, November 13, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City